This issue of NewsWatch is provided by NARFE, a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the earned pay, retirement and health care benefits of federal employees, retirees and their survivors. Please join today!

NARFEWith NARFE’s support, 106 lawmakers signed Rep. Stephen F. Lynch’s, D-MA, letter to President-elect Donald Trump urging him to reconsider implementing a hiring freeze on January 20. Trump announced his intention to freeze federal hiring in his “Contract with the American Voter” with the exception of the military, public safety officials and public health officers.

Citing a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the letter noted that prior hiring freezes did not result in a smaller federal workforce and actually decreased efficiency, transparency and accountability. The letter also mentioned some of the 21st century challenges that an already stretched thin federal workforce likely will face.

A hiring freeze could hamper agency missions and prevent the best and brightest from entering public service. Detailed plans on a potential hiring freeze have not yet been released by Trump’s transition team. A copy of Rep. Lynch’s letter can be found here.

The Washington PostA range of Republican proposals on federal hiring, firing and retiring will have them under fire during the Trump administration. One flying under the radar poses a fundamental threat to the purpose of the civil service. It would essentially dispose of federal employee due process rights.READ MORE

Government ExecutivePresident Obama’s legacy, like that of all presidents, rests somewhat in the eye of the beholder. For many, the 44th commander-in-chief forever will be linked to his eponymous health care reform law and his epic tussles with Congress. But for most federal employees, the real Obama legacy isn’t about policies, or even management: It’s his track record on federal pay and benefits. And there are some pretty strong views on that, whether you’re talking to a member of the Senior Executive Service, or a GS-10.READ MORE

The HillHouse lawmakers have renewed an effort to make sure federal employees can take advantage of ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft when they travel on official government business.READ MORE

Federal News RadioIf you’re coming into a new government position in a few weeks or leaving one, chances are the Office of Personnel Management has released guidance in recent days that applies to you. Seasoned members of the civil service won’t find anything new in OPM’s deluge of recent memos, but the agency is taking the last two weeks of the current administration to remind the federal workforce about little-known policies they might find relevant during the presidential transition.READ MORE

GoverningIn what could be a tumultuous year for state and local finances, five issues are likely to take center stage. They are: tax reform, budget shortfalls, tax break transparency, increasing pension contributions and online sales tax battles.READ MORE

KiplingerIn the years leading up to retirement, you can keep your financial focus pretty simple. It's all about working and accumulating money. But the closer you get to actually calling it quits — and permanently stopping those paychecks — the more important it is to drill down a little deeper, to make sure you have a plan in place to help you preserve your wealth so that it lasts for as long as you live.READ MORE

Science DailyIt's well known that regular physical activity has health benefits, including weight control, strengthening the heart, bones and muscles and reducing the risk of certain diseases. Recently, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found how just one session of moderate exercise can also act as an anti-inflammatory. The findings have encouraging implications for chronic diseases like arthritis, fibromyalgia and for conditions such as obesity.READ MORE

USA TodayWhat just happened? A few years ago, self-driving vehicles were science fiction, but today, you can hail an Uber self-driving Volvo in Pittsburgh. You don't have to be a futurist to connect the dots. Once autonomous driving technology is proven, it'll be in every car. It's not hard to imagine that motorists will soon secure sizable insurance discounts for letting the onboard computer do all the driving. From there, you can envision a not-too-distant future in which you can't even drive your own car to your vacation destination. So long, great American road trip.READ MORE

Next AvenueThinking about changing jobs, pursuing an encore career, negotiating a flexible semi-retirement schedule with your boss or launching a business with special meaning to you in 2017? If so, this looks like an excellent year to take the leap.READ MORE

PeopleEverybody’s gotta eat. Which is why it’s super frustrating when you accidently kill your paycheck with what you thought was a casual grocery run… you know, just to pick up those few things to get you through the rest of the week.READ MORE